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The year was 1995. The BJP was fresh from having achieved a first ever victory in Gujarat Assembly elections and forming a majority government of its own. Two months later, civic elections were scheduled across the state. As preparations were on in full swing, Modi one day called a few of his trusted, non-party-cadre, aides and gave them a device they had not seen before - something which he had picked from his recent travel abroad - a Digital Camera. Their task was to go around the state along with the party campaigning teams and digitally record what they saw - people and their expressions, their attires, their habits, attendance in public meetings, what people ate their work places, at tea stalls - digitally capture the essence of Gujarat. This was much before Digital Camera had become popular in the West, leave alone being used in India.

It is a habit that Modi has kept even since - of being ahead of the curve in first seeing potential and then adopting the latest technological and digital inventions, not just personally but as a governance model as well. It is no surprise then that not just among politicians, but indeed in the larger society, Modi was the first to see and realize the potential of social media as not just a one-way broadcast medium but one which establishes a two way digital connect of equals. As CM of Gujarat, social media contributors would find a ready audience with him. As Prime Minister, one of his first initiatives was to institutionalize this connect with the launch of MyGov in July 2014. A year later, 'Digital India' was formally launched as a key signature initiative to usher in a governance model which was responsive, transparent and accountable. Speaking at the Digital India event in San Jose, California in 2015, Modi summed up his philosophy "When you think of the exponential speed and scale of expansion of social media or a service, you have to believe that it is equally possible to rapidly transform the lives of those who have long stood on the margins of hope. So, friends out of this conviction was born the vision of Digital India. It is an enterprise for India's transformation on a scale that is, perhaps, unmatched in human history. Not just to touch the lives of the weakest, farthest and the poorest citizen of India, but change the way our nation will live and work. "

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken India’s global standing to newer heights with the world applauding his transformational leadership. He has been conferred several highest awards by many nations and organisations.

Order of St Andrew the Apostle: April 2019

Recently, PM Narendra Modi received the highest order of the Russian Federation “for exceptional services in promoting special and privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India and friendly relations between the Russian and Indian peoples."

Order of Zayed Award: April 2019

PM Narendra Modi was conferred the highest civil award of the U.A.E. in April 2019 for providing exceptional leadership in forging a new strategic relationship between India and UAE.The award acknowledges that PM Modi is working for everyone in a diverse country having people with different religions, languages and cultures.

Seoul Peace Prize 2018 - October 2018

For contributions to the growth of the Indian and global economies, PM Narendra Modi received the Seoul Peace Prize in October 2018.The Seoul Peace Prize committee lauded Modinomics for reducing social and economic disparity between the rich and the poor. It also praised PM Modi's initiatives to make the government cleaner through anti-corruption measures.

It credited the Prime Minister for his contribution towards regional and global peace under the 'Modi Doctrine' and the 'Act East Policy'.Prime Minister Modi received the award in person during his visit to Republic of South Korea in February 2019.Seoul Peace Prize 2018 - October 2018

UNEP Champions of the Earth Award - September 2018

United Nations' highest environmental honour, the UNEP Champions of the Earth Award is bestowed on the world's greatest change agents.For his pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and his unprecedented pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in India by 2022, PM Narendra Modi was conferred with the UNEP Champions of the Earth Award in September last year.

Grand Collar of the State of Palestine - February 2018

The Grand Collar of the State of Palestine is the highest order of Palestine given to foreign dignitaries.In recognition of PM Modi’s wise leadership and his lofty national and international stature, and in appreciation of his efforts to promote the historic relations between the State of Palestine and the Republic of India, he was conferred with the award during his visit to Palestine in February last year.

Amir Amanullah Khan Award - June 2016

The highest civilian honour of Afghanistan, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award was bestowed on PM Narendra Modi by the Afghanistan government in June 2016.

PM Narendra Modi was awarded the honour following the inauguration of the landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam.

King Abdulaziz Sash Award - April 2016

In a special gesture, PM Narendra Modi was conferred the King Abdulaziz Sash Award in April 2016. This is Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour.Named after Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Saudi state, the Prime Minister was conferred the prestigious award by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.